Amo Servo Fulcio

Dumbledore, Narcissa Malfoy, Snape, Mrs. Weasley, and Madame Pomfrey were all crowded into the small office connected to the infirmary. Arthur Weasley, unfortunately, had to return to work because of urgent business at the Ministry. Everyone in the small, over-crowded room was speaking anxiously about what had happened with the two boys after the bond.

After observing the boys for almost three hours as they lay on the small beds located in the infirmary, they had finally gotten a clue as to what was wrong. Or, more accurately, Dumbledore had gotten a clue. They had been watching the boys intently, though the boys did not wake. Both Harry and Draco were tossing and turning and sleeping fitfully. Finally, at around 1:30 in the afternoon, they thought Harry had awakened. He turned over onto his side, facing Draco’s bed, and said one word. “Draco.” It was more of a whisper and if it had not been silent as a grave already they may have missed it. Draco, however, seemed to hear. He woke up, though he seemed almost as if he was sleepwalking, and walked the few feet to Harry’s bed. Climbing in next to the Harry and wrapping his arms around him, the boys both fell back asleep. This time they both slept peacefully, not moving at all.

That event had sparked something in Dumbledore’s mind and he had quickly ushered everyone into Madame Pomfrey’s office where they could speak freely while still keeping an eye on the boys. They had spent at least another two hours discussing what could have affected the bond that would cause these side effects. Dumbledore did not voice his suspicions out loud, choosing instead to ask specific questions that would give him the information that would prove or disprove his theory. Narcissa Malfoy had finally mentioned the piece of information that he’d been seeking. Draco Malfoy was part Veela. This had shocked the entire one, the only person who had not seemed surprise being Dumbledore himself. He could understand why Narcissa hadn’t mentioned it. Draco was only an eighth Veela which would normally mean that he would show very few signs. Normally, only enhanced beauty and sexual attraction. Only people who were at least half Veela had the more obvious traits like transformation and life mates. But, like everything, there were exceptions to this rule. Dumbledore was sure he had just found one.

Unfortunately, Dumbledore wasn’t able to share the significant amount of knowledge he gained from Narcissa’s information. They were distracted from their conversation by an argument in the infirmary.

“What the bloody hell are you doing in my bed, Malfoy?” Harry yelled, jumping out of the bed. To say that he was shocked to wake up in his rival’s arms would be an understatement.

“What are you going on about? You’re the one who is in my bed!” Draco said, equally confused by the position they had woken up in.

Harry was about to respond when he noticed the large problem he’d created for himself. Jumping out of the bed so quickly had meant that his body’s now common reaction to Draco had gone unnoticed by him. Unfortunately, Draco wasn’t as oblivious.

“Oh my God, Potter! What is your fan club going to say when they figure out you’re a disgusting pervy poof?” Draco’s tone was mocking and condescending, as usual, but he was more than a little flustered. His body had reacted in much the same way, though you couldn’t tell because he was still lying down. Harry began to blush profusely, but Dumbledore walked in, sparing them both any further embarrassment.

“Ah, I see you’ve woken up. Good afternoon. Why don’t you have a seat, Mr. Potter?” We have much to discuss.”

Harry sat down crossing his legs awkwardly to try and conceal his hard-on. Draco scowled. “Yes, like why the hell we passed out and then woke up in the same bed together?”

Dumbledore nodded, intentionally ignoring Draco’s less than proper language. “All in good time, my boy. All in good time.” Draco rolled his eyes as Dumbledore turned to the other occupants of the room. “I believe that this is a discussion that is best had in private. Would you all please leave us?” The other adults looked perturbed, obviously wanting to stay. Reluctantly, they shuffled out of the room leaving Dumbledore, Harry and Draco in peace. Dumbledore turned back to the two boys. “Well, now, I believe there is a lot of explaining that I must do.” Draco scoffed and rolled his eye.

“While you were resting, I learned something very interesting about your heritage, Draco.”

Draco interrupted, saying, “What are you talking about? Everyone knows I’m a pureblood.”

“Yes, that’s correct, Mr. Malfoy. However, as you may or may not know, it became perfectly acceptable during the Middle Ages for pureblood wizards to marry magical creatures. Their children are still considered pureblood.” Dumbledore took a deep breath, obviously contemplating how to go on.

Deciding on the direct approach Dumbledore continued. “You are an eighth Veela.”

The room fell silent as Draco paled even more from shock. “There must be some mistake. I am not part Veela. My mother would have informed me of such.” Draco fell back on his usual reaction to things he didn’t like, haughty denial.

“Mr. Malfoy, I’m afraid that there has been no mistake.”

Draco sighed, obviously unhappy with the news. “Well, anyways, what does this have to do with me passing out and waking up with Potter?”

“Unfortunately, your Veela heritage had an effect on the bond. Normally, people with Veela blood do not participate in such bonds because they are, for one, uncommon. As you know most wizards choose to participate in vows slightly less binding. Another reason is that Veela normally have an increased awareness of their soul-mate which leads to a very strong life bond. You, Draco, are only an eighth Veela so you would not have had that awareness.” Dumbledore paused, thinking about what he was about to say. He sincerely hoped that the boys would take the announcement well because it had all the possibility of making a very unpleasant situation. Actually, Dumbledore was sure that it would make the current discussion even more unpleasant.

“Now, the bond normally wouldn’t have done much because of your heritage. The chances of you being bonded to your soul-mate would be very low because so few people ever find and recognize them. There has only been one previous known case of that happening. Without the part Veela’s soul-mate, the bond would normally just be ineffective.”

Malfoy chose that moment to interrupt rudely, something he was very good at. “Well, then what happened to me and Potter? Shouldn’t the bond have just failed?”

Dumbledore heaved a long-suffering sigh, the expression on his face as close to dread as Dumbledore would ever get. “That’s what I’ve been trying to say, Mr. Malfoy. You and Harry Potter are mates.”

Draco became as white as a sheet and began shaking his head vehemently, trying to deny it. Harry blinked a few times and then pinched himself, thinking that it was some sort of terrible nightmare that he would soon wake up from. Dumbledore watched the two boy’s reactions calmly, waiting for some sort of outburst. Harry spoke for the first time since the discussion had begun.

“Fuck.”

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. It means a lot to me. I’m pretty excited with how quickly I’ve been able to get these chapters out. I am a little worried that they won’t be quite as good as my normal standard. So, if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, observations, predications, or anything else, feel free to leave a review.

Cyn — Okay, I understand what you’re saying. Technically, if the bond had gone has planned, they would have been able to marry someone else. The problem is that they would have to find a wife (or husband) that wouldn’t have a problem with her husband being bonded in anyway with other man. Especially, since the bond would require them to be near each other often. Hopefully, this chapter fulfilled your expectations and gave you a bit of a shock. Thanks for the review!

Nitasha — This is more of an equal relationship, but when it gets down to the very technical, it’s a DMHP.